New Delhi: The Central government is preparing to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign within a week.
The campaign is aimed at reducing cervical cancer cases among young women in India, News18 reported citing government sources familiar with the development.
MSD’s Gardasil 4 HPV vaccine will be provided free of cost through government health facilities across the country.
The vaccine costs around Rs 4,000 per dose in the private market.
Gardasil 4 protects against four HPV strains — 6, 11, 16 and 18.
“Of these, strains 16 and 18 are considered to be high risk, responsible for nearly 83 per cent of cervical cancer cases in India. Globally, these strains are responsible for over 70 per cent of cases,” said a senior official.
“This initiative represents a decisive step towards eliminating cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the country,” he added.
As per WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) panel, a single-dose schedule will be followed. India’s leading panels on vaccination have also approved the single-dose usage of Gardasil, which is considered to be as effective as double or multi-dose vaccine.
Cervical cancer is the second-most common form of cancer (after breast cancer) among women in India. In 2024, over 78,000 fresh cases of cervical cancer and 42,000 deaths were reported in India.
The campaign will run for 90 days, followed by integration into routine immunisation days.
Who Is Eligible And Where To Go?
The process of vaccination will be integrated with the U-WIN digital platform, similar to the CoWIN system used during the massive COVID-19 vaccination drive starting from early 2021.
Like during the COVID vaccination programme, slot booking and certification will be digitised.
Those who have just turned 14 will be eligible for the vaccine until they turn 15.
In addition, girls who turn 15 at the time of vaccination launch will be allowed a three-month window to receive the shot.
Around 1.15 crore girls will be provided the vaccine every year. However, the vaccine will be administered only with parental consent.
According to the official, the vaccine will be administered at all government health facilities, including Ayushman Mandirs, government medical colleges, district hospitals, primary and community health centres.
